Lydia of Thyatira is a woman mentioned in the New Testament who is regarded as the first documented convert to Christianity in Europe. A modern outdoor chapel on what is said to be the site where Lydia was baptized.

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

Acts 16: 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Philippi Ruins. 1

Philippi Ruins. 2 (baptismal)

Roman Toilets.

Tree of Life mosaic from the oldest church floors in the world.

Actually it was not. It was more likely a cistern.

A few more ruins after the 4th century. There were no crosses as art before that.